Coke drum bottom de-heading system

ABSTRACT

The present invention features a coke drum de-heading system comprising (a) at least one coke drum having an orifice therein; (b) a de-header valve removably coupled to the coke drum designed to de-head the coke drum; and (c) an exchange system, including an upper and lower bonnet and other elements and members adapted to integrate the de-heading system, and particularly the de-header valve, into the manufacturing system. The de-header valve itself comprises (1) a main body having an orifice dimensioned to align with and couple to, in a concentric relationship, the orifice of the coke drum; (2) a live loaded seat assembly coupled to the main body and comprising a dynamic, live loaded seat, a live seat adjustment mechanism coupled to the main body and designed to control and adjust the force and resulting seat load of the dynamic, live loaded seat, and a force transfer module in juxtaposition to the dynamic, live loaded seat for transferring the force from the live loaded seat adjustment mechanism to the dynamic, live loaded seat; (3) a static seat positioned opposite from and counteracting or counterbalancing the dynamic, live loaded seat; and (4) a blind or sliding blind capable moving in a linear, bi-directional manner within the de-header valve and between the dynamic, live loaded seat and the static seat, such that upon actuation of the blind from a closed position to an open position, the coke drum is de-headed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Pat. Application SerialNo. 60/275,527 filed on Mar. 12, 2001.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a system and device forde-heading a vessel containing a fluid, distillates, or unconsolidateddebris byproduct, such as the several types of coke. Specifically, thepresent invention relates to a system and device, namely a de-headervalve, that is coupled to a coke drum, particularly at the top orbottom, which serves to safely and effectively de-head the coke drumfollowing the manufacture of coke, or other byproducts, and tofacilitate the removal of coke during the decoking process.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] In the hydrocarbon processing industry, many refineries recovervaluable products from the heavy residual oil that remains afterrefining operations are completed. This recovery process is known asdelayed coking and produces valuable distillates and coke in largevessels or coke drums. Coke drums are usually in operation in pairs sothat when one coke drum is being filled with the byproduct or residualmaterial, the feed may be directed to an empty drum so that the filleddrum may be cooled and the byproduct purged from the coke drum, aprocess known as decoking. This allows the refinery process to operatein a continuous manner, without undue interruption.

[0006] When one coke drum is full, it must be purged of the byproductfed into it. The drum is steam purged and cooled with quench water. Thedrum is then drained of water and vented to atmospheric pressure, afterwhich the top and bottom heads are removed (i.e. the coke drum isde-headed) to allow the coke to be cut from the drum and fall into acatch basin, typically a rail car. This process of de-heading the cokedrum can be extremely dangerous for several reasons. To mention only afew, the cooling water introduced into the hot drums prior to theremoval of the bottom head becomes extremely hot and could leak from theloosened head and scald surrounding operators, the load of un-drainedwater and loose coke within the drum may exceed the limits of thesupport system and cause heavy equipment to fall, positioning the chuteand necessary removal of the flanges or heads is done with operators whoare in close proximity to the drums, potentially falling coke may injureworkers as the heads are removed, and operating personnel may be exposedto finely divided coke particles, steam, hot water and noxious gases,when the drum is opened. Indeed several fatalities occur each year as aresult of this manufacturing process. Once the coke is removed, theheads are replaced and the coke drum is prepared to repeat the cycle.

[0007] Prior art systems and methods have tired to more efficiently andeffectively de-head coke drums, as well as to minimize many of thedangers inherent is the de-heading process. One such method involvesplacing a de-heading cart under the drum, raising a flange support ram,with braces installed, and loosening some (up to one half) of the flangebolts by manual operation with an impact wrench. Following the waterquench and drain, the remaining bolts are manually removed, braces areremoved from the ram, the approximately 4-ton flange is lowered, and thecart, with flange resting thereon, is moved away. This is extremelydangerous due to the manual labor requirements.

[0008] Other systems have been disclosed, which somewhat reduce human ormanual involvement. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,109 to Malsbury etal. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,358 to DiGiacomo et al. describe a remoteunheading device for coking drums. The device includes a head unit forattachment to a lower flange of a coking drum and a plurality of swingbolts which are disconnected by remotely operated de-tensioningequipment. A platform device lowers the head unit, moves it laterally toone side and tips it for cleaning. A chute attached to the frame can beraised into engagement with the coking drum lower flange for removal ofcoke from the drum.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,524 to Antalfy et al. filed on Dec. 10, 1990discloses a coke drum unheading device having a pivoting actuator systemoperable from a location remote from a drum outlet. The actuator isadapted to move a drum head between closed and open positions and toretain the drum head in a closed position under a load.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,094 to Fruchtbaum provides a coke drumunheading device that retracts and tilts the bottom head incrementallyso that falling debris such as shot coke can be caught by a chute.Following disposal of the loose debris, the head can be withdrawn fromthe area of the drum for maintenance. Specifically, the inventionprovides an unheading device for removing a bottom head from a flange ona lower end of a coke drum. An unheading car is horizontally movableinto and from position below the bottom head. A vertically adjustablebottom head support member is mounted on the car. A bearing plate ispivotally mounted at an upper end of the support member for engaging alower surface of the bottom head. A retractable arm has first and secondsections hingedly connected at one end and having respective oppositeends secured to the bearing plate and the support member for pivotingthe bearing plate and bottom head supported thereon with respect tohorizontal, preferably to tilt the head towards an adjacent chute.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,864 to Rabet discloses an apparatus andmethod enabling removal of the drum head of a coke drum, which comprisesan apparatus remotely placing a carriage under the drum head and thecarriage is adapted to remotely engage the drum head, tightly supportthe head against the drum while workers are in the area, and to lowerthe head and carry it away. A safety feature is also included anddisclosed, wherein the carriage is normally supported by springs which,in the event of excessive loads, automatically transfers the loadcarrier to an overhead beam designed to carry any excessive loads.

[0012] Each of these prior art devices share common deficiencies in thatthey are incapable of providing simple, efficient, and safe solutions tothe de-heading of a coke drum. Specifically, each of the assemblies ordevices require that the head unit be completely removed from the flangeportion of the coke drum after each coking cycle and prior to thepurging of the coke from the coke drum. This creates an extreme hazardto workers and provides an inefficient and time consuming procedure.Removal of the head unit increases the chance for accident, while at thesame time increases human involvement as the head unit must be properlyplaced on the coke drum each time despite the automation involved. Inaddition, a large amount of floor space is required to accommodate thoseassemblies and devices that automate the removal and lifting of the headunit from the coke drum. Finally, such devices and systems may not beoperable in an environment where there the bottom headroom is less thanthe diameter of the bottom head.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In light of the problems and deficiencies inherent in prior artcoke drum de-heading systems and devices, the present invention seeks toprovide a more efficient, cost-effective, and safe coke drum de-headingdevice and system.

[0014] Therefore, it is an object of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a simplified and reliable coke drumde-heading system that does not require the physical removal of the cokedrum heads after each coking cycle, but rather comprises a mechanicalde-header valve that accomplishes the equivalent de-heading function ofprior art designs.

[0015] It is another object of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention to provide a coke drum de-heading system, wherein thede-header valve is removably coupled to the flanged portion of a cokedrum and adapted to de-head the coke drum without having to be removedafter each coking cycle.

[0016] It is still another object of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a coke drum de-heading system having a dualseated, linear motion blind.

[0017] It is a further object of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a coke drum de-heading system having alinear motion blind as the only major moving part.

[0018] It is still a further object of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a coke drum de-heading system that connectsto the coke drum via a flanged bolted connection.

[0019] It is still a further object of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a coke drum de-heading system having dualindependent seats that provide double block and bleed and double blockand purge capabilities.

[0020] It is still a further object of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a coke drum de-heading system having metalto metal seating.

[0021] A still further object of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention is to provide one or more dynamic or live loaded seatsenergized from outside the process stream.

[0022] A still further object of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention is to provide a system design having remoteverification of positive isolation.

[0023] A still further object of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention is to provide a system having instant and remote liveswitching to double block and vent mode from double block and purge modeupon loss of purge steam.

[0024] To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with theinvention as embodied and broadly described herein, the presentinvention features a coke drum de-heading system that provides uniqueadvantages over prior art de-heading systems, namely the de-heading of acoke drum without having to physically remove the head units. This isessentially accomplished using a specially designed de-header valve tobe used in a de-header system.

[0025] Specifically, the de-header system comprises a dual seated,linear motion goggle blind gate valve, or de-header valve, that isremovably coupled to and seals against the flanged portion of a cokedrum much the same way a conventional head unit would be attached. Thede-header valve is equipped with a sliding blind having an orificetherein, a flat surface adjacent the orifice, a stroke slightly greaterthan the diameter of the orifice in the de-header valve, and upper andlower seats, wherein one of such seats is a dynamic, live loaded seatthat is capable of adjustment so as to seal the blind between the upperand lower seats. As such, the sliding blind can be moved in asubstantially linear bi-directional manner between upper and lowerseats, or dual seats, thus causing the orifice located thereon to movebetween an open, closed, and partially open position relative to theorifice in the coke drum. In a closed position, the de-header valve andcoke drum are prepared to receive the byproduct feed from the refineryprocess used to manufacture coke. Once the drum is full, the valve maybe actuated causing the sliding blind to open. In doing so, coke thathas accumulated on the blind is sheared by the upper and lower seats,thus de-heading the coke drum and facilitating the removal of coke usingmethods commonly known in the art. The critical aspect of the presentinvention is its ability to provide a simple, yet effective de-headingsystem comprising a de-header valve having a sliding bind that movesback and forth between dual independent seats to de-head a coke drum andsimplify the decoking process. Another critical aspect of the presentinvention is the ability to de-head the coke drum without having toremove the head unit, and to do so at a remote location with little orno manual requirements.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention features a cokedrum de-heading system comprising (a) at least one coke drum containingmanufactured coke therein, wherein the coke drum has a top orifice and abottom orifice; (b) a de-header valve removably coupled to the coke drumand designed to facilitate the removal of coke from the coke drum byde-heading the coke drum and allowing the coke to pass there through;and (c) an exchange system, including an upper and lower bonnet andother elements and members adapted to integrate the de-heading system,and particularly the de-header valve, into the manufacturing system. Thede-header valve itself comprises (1) a main body having an orificedimensioned to align, in a concentric relationship, with either the topor bottom orifice of the coke drum when the de-header valve is coupledthereto; (2) a live loaded seat assembly coupled to the main body andcomprising a dynamic, live loaded seat, a live seat adjustment mechanismcoupled to the main body and designed to control and adjust the forceand resulting seat load of the dynamic, live loaded seat, and a forcetransfer module in juxtaposition to the dynamic, live loaded seat fortransferring the force from the live loaded seat adjustment mechanism tothe dynamic, live loaded seat; (3) a static seat positioned oppositefrom and counteracting or counterbalancing the dynamic, live loadedseat; and (4) a blind or sliding blind capable moving in a linear,bi-directional manner within the de-header valve and between thedynamic, live loaded seat and the static seat, the blind physicallycontrolled by an actuator and having a force exerted thereon by the dualseats, namely the dynamic, live loaded seat and the static seat, suchthat a seal is created between the dynamic, live loaded seat, the blind,and the static seat. In essence, the de-header valve de-heads the cokedrum and facilitates the removal of the coke from the coke drum uponactuation of the blind from a closed to an open position wherein thecoke is sheared.

[0027] The present invention further comprises a point to point sealingsystem comprising a plurality of loaded, independent, dual seats,preferably four, that seal directly against the gate. The seal consistsof or is a result of the metal to metal seating between the upper andlower seats and the blind. Due to a dynamic, loaded upper seat, theamount of force required to properly seal the seats to the gate isaccomplished using a live load seat adjustment mechanism designed tocontrol the amount of force exerted on the blind.

[0028] As a result, the present invention provides a new and improvedcoke drum de-heading system. The system also utilizes pressure valvesand steam purge inlet valves, as well as emergency vent valves tomonitor and control pressure within the system and to preventinadvertent venting of the steam to atmosphere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The foregoing and other objects and features of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following descriptionand appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be consideredlimiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

[0030]FIG. 1 illustrates, generally, the refinery process, wherein cokeis manufactured from the refinery byproducts in a series of coke drums;

[0031]FIG. 2 illustrates the de-heading system of the present inventioncoupled a coke drum and an upper and lower bonnet;

[0032]FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the coke drum de-heading systemaccording to the present invention, and an upper and lower bonnetattached thereto;

[0033]FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the coke drum de-heading systemshowing the orifice and the sliding blind contained therein;

[0034]FIG. 5 illustrates a cut away view of the de-header valve attachedto a coke drum containing coke, and specifically, the sliding blind in apartially opened position and its relationship and interaction with thede-header valve as it being used to de-head the coke drum;

[0035]FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged cut-away sectional view of thede-header valve as it is attached to a coke drum containing manufacturedcoke, and particularly, the de-header valve with the sliding blind in asubstantially closed position where coke accumulates on the surface ofthe sliding blind during the coking process;

[0036]FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged cut-away sectional view of thede-header valve as it is attached to a coke drum containing manufacturedcoke, and particularly, the de-header valve with the sliding blind in apartially opened position as it is being used to de-head the coke drum;

[0037]FIG. 8 illustrates the workings of the live or dynamically loadedseat concept and its relation to the sliding blind according to thepresent invention;

[0038]FIG. 9 illustrates a detailed view of the dynamic, live loadedseat and the live seat adjustment mechanism;

[0039]FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the dynamic, live loadedseat and live seat adjustment mechanism; and

[0040]FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the dynamic, liveloaded seat and live seat adjustment mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein,could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the system, device, and method of the present invention,and represented in FIGS. 1 through 11, is not intended to limit thescope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0042] The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be bestunderstood by reference to the drawings wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals throughout. Although reference to thedrawings and a corresponding discussion follow below, it is firstadvantageous to provide a general background of the coking process,including the process of de-heading the coke drums at the end of amanufacturing cycle.

General Discussion on Delayed Coking and Coke De-heading

[0043] In the typical delayed coking process, high boiling petroleumresidues are fed to one or more coke drums where they are thermallycracked into light products and a solid residue-petroleum coke. The cokedrums are typically large cylindrical vessels having a top head and aconical bottom portion fitted with a bottom head. The fundamental goalof coking is the thermal cracking of very high boiling point petroleumresidues into lighter fuel fractions. Coke is a byproduct of theprocess. Delayed coking is an endothermic reaction with a furnacesupplying the necessary heat to complete the coking reaction in a drum.The exact mechanism is very complex, and out of all the reactions thatoccur, only three distinct steps have been isolated: 1) partialvaporization and mild coking of the feed as it passes through thefurnace; 2) cracking of the vapor as it passes through the coke drum;and 3) cracking and polymerization of the heavy liquid trapped in thedrum until it is converted to vapor and coke. The process is extremelytemperature-sensitive with the varying temperatures producing varyingtypes of coke. For example, if the temperature is too low, the cokingreaction does not proceed far enough and pitch or soft coke formationoccurs. If the temperature is too high, the coke formed generally isvery hard and difficult to remove from the drum with hydraulic decokingequipment. Higher temperatures also increase the risk of coking in thefurnace tubes or the transfer line. As stated, delayed coking is athermal cracking process used in petroleum refineries to upgrade andconvert petroleum residuum (or resid) into liquid and gas productstreams leaving behind a solid concentrated carbon material, or coke. Afired heater is used in the process to reach thermal crackingtemperatures, which range upwards of 1,000° F. With short residence timein the furnace, coking of the feed material is thereby “delayed” untilit reaches large coking drums downstream of the heater. In normaloperations, there are two coke drums so that when one is being filled,the other may be purged of the manufactured coke. These coke drums arelarge structures that are approximately 25-30 meters in height and from4 to 9 meters in diameter. They are equipped with a top blind flangeclosure or orifice that is typically about 1.5 meters in diameter, and abottom blind flange orifice that is typically about 2 meters indiameter.

[0044] In a typical petroleum refinery process, several differentphysical structures of petroleum coke may be produced. These are namely,shot coke, sponge coke, and/or needle coke, and are each distinguishedby their physical structures and chemical properties. These physicalstructures and chemical properties also serve to determine the end useof the material. Several uses are available for manufactured coke, someof which include fuel for burning, the ability to be calcined for use inthe aluminum, chemical, or steel industries, or the ability to begasified to produce steam, electricity, or gas feedstock for thepetrochemicals industry.

[0045] To produce the coke, a delayed coker feed originates from thecrude oil supplied to the refinery and travels through a series ofprocess members and finally empties into one of the coke drums used tomanufacture coke. A basic refinery flow diagram is presented as FIG. 1,with two coke drums shown. The delayed coking process is abatch-continuous process, which means that the process is ongoing orcontinuous as the feed stream coming from the furnace alternates fillingbetween the two or more coke drums. As mentioned, while one drum ison-line filling up with coke, the other is being stripped, cooled,decoked, and prepared to receive another batch. This is a timelyprocess, with each batch in the batch-continuous process takingapproximately 12-20 hours to complete. In essence, hot oil, or resid asit is commonly referred to as, from the tube furnace is fed into one ofthe coke drums in the system. The oil is extremely hot and produces hotvapors that condense on the colder walls of the coke drum. As the drumis being filled, a large amount of liquid runs down the sides of thedrum into a boiling turbulent pool at the bottom. As this processcontinues, the hot resid and the condensing vapors cause the coke drumwalls to heat. This naturally in turn, causes the resid to produce lessand less of the condensing vapors, which ultimately causes the liquid atthe bottom of the coke drum to start to heat up to coking temperatures.After some time, a main channel is formed in the coke drum, and as timegoes on, the liquid above the accumulated coke decreases and the liquidturns to a more viscous type tar. This tar keeps trying to run back downthe main channel which can coke at the top, thus causing the channel tobranch. This process progresses up through the coke drum until the drumis full, wherein the liquid pools slowly turn to solid coke. When thefirst coke drum is full, the hot oil feed is switched to the second cokedrum, and the first coke drum is isolated, steamed to remove residualhydrocarbons, cooled by filling with water, opened, and then decoked.This cyclical process is repeated over and over again in the manufactureof coke.

[0046] The decoking process is the process used to remove the coke fromthe drum upon completion of the coking process. Due to the shape of thecoke drum, coke accumulates in the area near and attaches to the headsduring the manufacturing process. To decoke the drum, the heads mustfirst be removed. Typically, once full, the drum is vented toatmospheric pressure and the top head (typically a 4-foot diameterflange) is unbolted and removed to enable placement of a hydraulic cokecutting apparatus. After the cooling water is drained from the vessel,the bottom head (typically a 7-foot-diameter flange) is unbolted andremoved. This process is commonly known as “de-heading” and can be avery dangerous procedure because of the size of the flanges, the hightemperatures within the drum, potential falling coke, and other reasonsas mentioned above. Once the heads are removed, the coke is removed fromthe drum by drilling a pilot hole from top to bottom of the coke bedusing high pressure water jets. Following this, the main body of cokeleft in the coke drum is cut into fragments which fall out the bottomand into a collection bin, such as a bin on a rail cart, etc. The cokeis then dewatered, crushed and sent to coke storage or loadingfacilities.

Present Invention Coke Drum De-heading System

[0047] Although the present invention is intended to cover both top andbottom de-heading systems, or rather the de-heading system of thepresent invention may be applicable and utilized on both the top andbottom openings of a coke drum, the following detailed description andpreferred embodiments will be discussed in reference to a bottomde-heading system only. One ordinarily skilled in the art will recognizethat the invention as explained and described herein for a coke drumbottom de-heading system may also be designed and used as a coke drumtop de-heading system and the following discussion pertaining to thebottom de-heading system is not meant to be limiting to such.

[0048] The present invention describes a method and system forde-heading a coke drum following the manufacture of coke therein. As thepresent invention is especially adapted to be used in the cokingprocess, the following discussion will relate specifically in thismanufacturing area. It is foreseeable however, that the presentinvention may be adapted to be an integral part of other manufacturingprocesses producing various elements other than coke, and such processesshould thus be considered within the scope of this application.

[0049] The present invention comprises a system comprising a dualseated, linear motion, goggle blind valve, or de-header valve.

[0050]FIG. 1 depicts, generally, a petroleum manufacturing and refineryprocess 14 having several elements and systems present (identified, butnot discussed). In addition to these elements, petroleum manufacturingand refinery process 14 includes first and second delayed coke drums 18and 22, respectively. As mentioned, there are typically two coke drumsin simultaneous operation so as to permit the ongoing manufacture andrefinery of petroleum as well as its coke byproduct. While first cokedrum 18 is online and being filled via feed inlet 26, second coke drum22 is going through a decoking process to purge the manufactured cokecontained therein. Thereafter, when first coke drum 18 has reachedcapacity, feed inlet 26 is switched to second coke drum 22 that has justpreviously been purged of its contents, whereby first coke drum 18 isprimed for the decoking process where its contents will be purged. Thisprocess, commonly referred to as batch-continuous, allows the refineryto maintain continuous uninterrupted operation. Of course there may beonly one coke drum or a plurality of coke drums present. FIG. 1 alsoshows the addition of coke drum de-heading system 10, includingde-header valve 12 and its place within the refinery process. AlthoughFIG. 1 is illustrative of a petroleum manufacturing and refinery processhaving two coke drums in series, and although the discussion andpreferred embodiments illustrated, described, and discussed herein focuson a coke drum de-heading system, one ordinarily skilled in the art willrecognize that the present invention may be applicable or adapted to anumber of different processes in which a function similar to the cokingprocess is present.

[0051] In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a general front view of coke drumde-heading system 10 is shown, with FIG. 2 showing system 10 attached orcoupled to first coke drum 18. In light of the identical nature andsetup of coke drum de-heading systems 10 on first and second coke drums18 and 22 respectively, only first coke drum 18 will be discussedthroughout the application. Specifically, coke drum de-heading system 10is removably coupled to coke drum 18 to allow the system to be removedif necessary. As shown, coke drum de-heading system 10 comprises ade-header valve 12 having a body 46 and upper and lower seats, 34 and 38respectively, attached thereto. Body 46 comprises a flanged portion 42that consists of substantially the same dimensions as the correspondingopening, whether flanged or otherwise, of coke drum 18. As shown,flanged portion 42 is coupled to flanged portion 30 on coke drum 18using those means known in the art, which is typically a bolted flangedconnection. Flanged portion 30 is a part of the “head” of coke drum 18.depending upon the design of coke drum 18, de-header valve 12 may becoupled to flanged portion 30 or directly to the body of coke drum 18.The significance of the present invention, as opposed to prior artde-heading systems and devices, is that the coke drum de-heading system10 of the present invention does not require the “head” of the coke drumto be removed each time the drum is to be decoked. This significance isdiscussed at greater length below. Various sealing members and agentsare used to seal de-header valve 12 to coke drum 18 to preventinadvertent leaking.

[0052] Upper seat 34 and lower seat 38 are comprised of a dynamic, liveloaded seat and a static seat, with the preferred configurationcomprising a dynamic live loaded upper seat 34, and a static lower seat38. An alternative embodiment may comprise a dynamic, live loaded lowerseat and a static upper seat. In the preferred embodiment, the staticseat is a one piece seat that is securely fastened to de-header valve 12and is preferably non-adjustable. However, it is not without the scopeof this invention that both the upper and lower seats could be dynamicand/or adjustable. In contrast to the static seat, dynamic, live loadedseat is a moveable and adjustable seat that is energized from withoutthe process stream via live seat adjustment mechanism. The function ofthe dynamic, live loaded seat is to provide point to point fine tuningof the system, and particularly the blind as it is sealed between upperand lower seats 34 and 38. Various sealing members, such as O-rings, maybe used to seal the seats and their adjacent seat retainers to de-headervalve 12.

[0053]FIGS. 2 and 3 also depict upper bonnet 54 and lower bonnet 58coupled to body 46 of de-header valve 12. Upper bonnet 54 and lowerbonnet 58 are removably coupled to body 46 using known means such asbolts 50 as shown. Upper bonnet 54 and lower bonnet 58 are shown havingvarious elements thereon to operate within the refinery process. Upperbonnet 54 is shown equipped with steam purge outlet port 66 and anoutlet steam trap and orifice assembly 70. Upper bonnet also is shownhaving a pressure transmitter 74 and a pressure gauge 78. Lower bonnet58 is shown having a steam purge inlet port 82 and an inlet steam trapand orifice plate assembly 86 coupled thereto. Lower bonnet 58 also isshown having a vent valve assembly 90 and outlet pipe 94. Vent valveassembly is located on a distal end of lower bonnet 58 and serves as anemergency release. Upon the introduction of a pressure into the systemthat is above the upper limit, emergency vent valve is activated, whichreleases pressure from the system and drains any excess fluid and gasthrough pipe 94. Each of these additions are used to control and monitorthe pressurized environment existing within the system. One ordinarilyskilled in the art will recognize the needed applications and devices tomaintain a suitable environment during the coking process.

[0054] In addition to the features mentioned above, upper and lowerbonnets 54 and 58, respectively, are independent of one another, yet maybe in communication with one another. For example, depending upon thesystem requirements and specifications, upper bonnet 54 may bepressurized and lower bonnet 58 may be purged to maintain systemequilibrium requirements.

[0055]FIGS. 2 and 3 are also illustrative of actuator 62 and ram 114.Actuator 62 is used to drive ram 114, which provides the actual physicalcontrol of the blind (not shown) of de-header valve 12. Actuator 62 andram 114 provide the sliding later bi-directional movement to the blind,which is used to open and close de-header valve 12 as needed. Asignificant advantage to the present invention is the ability tovirtually eliminate human or manual involvement during the manufacturingprocess. For example, due to the design and functionality of de-headervalve 12 actuator 62 may be controlled or actuated from a locationremote from the actual site of the coke drums. As actuator 62 is ahydraulic pump in a preferred embodiment, it is not necessary toactually activate actuator 62 at the site. Rather, any known means inthe art may be used to control actuator 62 a safe distance away from thecoke drums. As a result, the safety, and ease of operation provide anadvantage not found in prior art designs. Actuator 62 and ram 114 areeach discussed in greater detail below in accordance with theircorresponding figure(s).

[0056]FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of coke drum de-heading system 10.Specifically, de-header valve 12 comprises a body 46 having an orifice98 surrounded by a flanged portion 42 used to couple the de-header valve12 to coke drum 18. Also shown is upper seat 34, which is a dynamic,live loaded seat contained within flanged portion 42. Although not shownin FIG. 4, de-header valve 12 comprises a lower static seat 38. Upperseat 34 and lower seat 38 serve to balance or support blind 106 as itmoves or slides in a bi-directional manner through de-header valve 12.Blind 106 is shown in FIG. 4 as comprising a flat surface 108 and anorifice 110 adjacent flat surface 108. Essentially, blind 106 moveslaterally within coke drum de-heading system 10 to open and closede-header valve 12. In a closed position, blind 106 is actuated and slidbetween upper seat 34 and lower seat 38, such that flat surface 108completely blocks the opening in coke drum 18. In this closed position,coke drum 18 is ready to receive inlet feed 26, wherein coke drum 18 isfilled with the petroleum byproduct, or resid, used to manufacture coke.Blind 106 is a dual seated blind, meaning that it is supported on eitherside from opposing or counteracting upper and lower seats 34 and 38,respectively. In addition, since upper seat 34 (or lower seat 38 in analternative embodiment) is a dynamic, live loaded seat having adjustableproperties, blind 106 is a “floating” blind in the sense that it isbiased as a result of the biased nature of dynamic, live loaded upperseat 34.

[0057] Upon actuation of actuator 62 and ram 114 coupled thereto and toblind 106, blind 106 is caused to slide substantially laterally in abi-directional manner between upper seat 34 and lower seat 38 into anopen or partially open position, such that orifice 110 is brought intoalignment with orifice 98 of de-header valve 12, which in turn causesalignment with the opening in coke drum 18. In this position, coke drum18 may be decoked, or purged of its contents in traditional knownmethods. As such, flat surface 108 of blind 106 is retracted out of theway as blind 106 is slid in a substantially lateral manner in order tobring orifice 110 into proper alignment. Therefore, by sliding blind 106back and forth, de-header valve 12 is opened and closed as needed. Blind106 may be said to comprise a stroke having a distance long enough, suchthat blind 106 may close and seal de-header valve 12 using flat surface108, and open de-header valve 12 when orifice 110 is properly alignedwith orifice 98 and the opening in coke drum 18. The interim stages whenblind 106 is moving from a closed position to an open positionrepresents a critical aspect of the present invention as it is duringthese stages that the coke drum de-heading system performs the processof “de-heading” or “unheading” coke drum 18 in a significantly moreeffective and safe manner than prior art designs.

[0058]FIG. 5 is illustrative of a cut away view of de-header valve 12,and particularly the relationship between de-header valve 12, havingblind 106, and coke drum 18. Actuator 62 (not shown) controls ram 114,which couples to blind 106 via attachment means 116. Actuator 62 ispreferably a hydraulic pump capable of producing the required forces toslide blind 106 in its substantially lateral manner within de-headingsystem 10. As discussed, blind 106 is supported on either side by upperseat 34 and lower seat 38, one of which is a dynamic, live loaded seat.As a result, and due to the nature of the coke manufacturing process inwhich the system is under extreme temperature and pressure, a largeforce must be applied to blind 106 from upper and lower seats 34 and 38,such that the system is substantially sealed and the pressure within thesystem maintained. Due to the existence of a dynamic, live loaded seat,de-header valve 12, and particularly the dynamic, live loaded seat, iscapable of modulating any bowing in blind 106 that may exist during thecoking process. In a normal coking process, extreme temperatures andpressures are present. Any variation in temperature between the upperand lower surfaces of the blind can cause the blind to bow. If thebowing is allowed to progress or continue, there is a danger in breakingthe seal created between upper and lower seats 34 sand 38 and blind 106,which could cause damage to the system and upset the manufacturingprocess. However, the ability of the present invention to adjust theload exerted on blind 106, utilizing the dynamic, live loaded seat andits adjustment mechanism, provides a way to compensate for or modulateany existing bowing that might occur. By increasing the applied load ofthe dynamic, live loaded seat on blind 106, the bowing is substantiallyeliminated, thus returning blind 106 to a more natural shape.

[0059] In order to move blind 106, actuator 62 must be comprised ofsufficient strength so as to be able to overcome this initial seal andprovide the necessary force to slide blind 106 back and forth between anopen and closed position. One ordinarily skilled in the art willrecognize that other types of devices or systems may be used, other thana hydraulic pump, to actuate blind 106 and to overcome the forcesexerted on blind 106 by upper seat 34 and lower seat 38, thus thisshould not be limiting in any way.

[0060]FIG. 5 illustrates coke drum 18 coupled to and sealed to de-headervalve 12. Specifically, the flanged portions of each are coupledtogether using commonly known means, such as a bolted connection. FIG. 5is primarily used to illustrate blind 106, having orifice 110 and flatsurface 108, and its service in de-heading coke drum 18. De-header valve12 is shown in a partially open position. In a closed position, flatsurface 108 would align with orifice 98 and the opening of coke drum 18,such that the system, and particularly coke drum 18, would be ready toreceive feed inlet 26. Blind 106 has an end portion that settles into ablind shroud 122 when de-header valve 12 is closed.

[0061] Coke drum 18 is also cut away to show the presence of coke 4therein, and particularly coke head 6 and its relative position withinsystem 10. During the manufacturing process, resid is pumped into cokedrum 18, thereby ultimately producing coke 4 that is contained withincoke drum 18. In the beginning stages when coke drum 18 is being filledwith resid, a large portion will naturally accumulate at the bottom ofthe drum and on flat surface 108, thus forming a “head” near the openingof de-header valve 12. This accumulation causes flat surface 108 ofblind 106 to be caked with coke. As the resid sets up and coke isformed, this “head” must be removed in order to decoke the entire drumand purge the drum of the coke bed contained therein. This isessentially done by the present invention by sliding blind 106 from aclosed position to an open position. As can be seen in FIG. 5, blind 106is supported by upper and lower seats 34 and 38. Not only is blind 106supported, but rather large forces are applied to blind 106 throughthese seats in order to enable a suitable pressurized environment. Assuch, the tolerances between upper and lower seats 34 and 38 and blind106 are extremely tight. Because of these tight tolerances, and theaccumulation of coke 4 on flat surface 108, as blind 106 is displacedfrom its closed position, coke 4, and particularly coke head 6, issheared by upper seat 34 from off of flat surface 108. This shearingeffect breaks up the coke that has accumulated on blind 106, thusessentially de-heading coke drum 18, wherein coke drum 18 is preparedfor the decoking process.

[0062] As a result of the load exerted upon blind 106 and resultingtight tolerances existing between blind 106 and upper and lower seats 34and 38, the substantially lateral bi-directional movement of blind 106between upper and lower seats 34 and 38 causes a grinding and polishingeffect to occur. In a preferred embodiment, upper and lower seats 34 and38, as well as blind 106 are made of metal, thus providing a metal tometal contact or metal to metal seal, or otherwise referred to as metalto metal seating of blind 106. This metal to metal seating is a uniqueaspect of the present invention in relation to coke drum de-heading. Themetal to metal seating increases the durability of the system as thereare no non-metal parts, such as vinyl or rubber, used to seal the seatsto blind 106. Metal to metal seating allows the system to achieve ahigher consistency of sealing, while at the same time providing extendedwear and durability. In addition, the metal to metal sealing allows thesystem, and specifically the sealing within the system, to be fine-tunedas discussed below.

[0063] Upper seat 34 and lower seat 38 are independent of one anotherand provide definitive double block and bleed/double block and purgecapabilities.

[0064] A further feature of the present invention is the enclosure ofthe seating used to seal the system. Upper seat 34 and lower seat 38 arecompletely protected from the flow of material passing through orifice98, such that they are not in the direct line of flow. As such, there isa decreased chance of erosion to the finish of upper and lower seats 34and 38, as well as decreased erosion potential. This becomes critical inthat the present invention allows for fine-tuning of upper and lowerseats 34 and 38 to more directly and precisely control sealing on apoint to point basis against blind 106.

[0065] As a result of this type of seating, the metal to metal contactcoupled with the lateral bidirectional movement of blind 106 and thetight tolerances existing therein effectuates this polishing. Thispolishing effect over time provides for much smoother transitions ofblind 106 between an open and closed position. In other words, the forcerequired to displace blind 106 becomes less and less over time due tothe smooth, polished metal to metal contact between upper and lowerseats 34 and 38 and blind 106. In addition to the metal to metalcontact, upper and lower seats 34 and 38 may be finished, such as with ahardened chrome. Blind 106 may also be finished, such as with a nitridecoating that is integrated into the molecular structure of blind 106.Providing a finish to these elements creates significant advantages,such as increased wear, thus prolonging their replacement, andincreasing performance while in operation.

[0066]FIGS. 6 and 7 show de-header valve 12, and particularly blind 106,as it progresses from a substantially closed position (FIG. 6) to asubstantially open position (FIG. 7), thus representing the interimstages when blind 106 is being slide laterally and coke drum 18 isessentially “de-headed.” As blind 106 is closed, coke 4 accumulates onflat surface 108 of blind 106, such that blind 106 is caked with coke.Once coke drum 18 is full, feed inlet 26 is switched off or routed to asecond coke drum. After the pre-coking steps are performed, the cokedrum must be de-headed in order to allow the rest of the coke bedcontained within the drum to be removed using standard procedures. Tode-head coke drum 18, an operator simply actuates actuator 62 from somelocation remote from the coking site, thus causing blind 106 to begin tomove laterally in a bidirectional manner within de-header valve 12. Asactuator 62 is initially activated, a large force is required to moveblind 106 due to the seal between blind 106 and upper and lower seats 34and 38 that must be broken and the initial shearing of coke 4 that hasaccumulated on flat surface 108 of blind 106. FIG. 6 shows how coke 4begins to break free and build up along the inside edge of upper seat 34as blind 106 is displaced. As blind 106 is displaced further, more coke4 is freed and builds up. In addition, as orifice 110 is brought intoalignment, that portion of coke 4 that has broken free is allowed todrop through orifice 98 of de-header valve 12 into catch basin 166.Catch basin 166 may be any known device or system known in the art, suchas a rail cart, etc.

[0067]FIG. 7 shows blind 106 in a more partially opened position. As canbe seen, coke 4, and particularly coke head 6, is sheared from flatsurface 108 of blind 106 the more blind 106 is opened. The lateraldisplacement of blind 106 from a closed to an opened position serves tode-head coke drum 18. The tight tolerance between upper and lower seats34 and 38 and blind 106 are such that coke 4 is not allowed to passunder upper seat 34, but is sheared off and contained within the seatboundaries. Coke 4 should not pass under upper seat 34 as blind 106 isbeing opened as this would damage the polished surfaces being attainedby the bi-directional movement of blind 106 between upper and lowerseats 34 and 38. Once opened, de-header valve 12 is not required to beremoved from coke drum 18 prior to decoking the entire drum.Essentially, workers may decoke coke drum 18 using standard procedures.Once finished, the operator simply deactivates actuator 62, such thatblind 106 returns to a closed position, whereby coke drum 18 may againbe filled with resid and put through the identical process. A greatadvantage of the present invention, among others, is that there is onlyone main moving part (blind 106) used to de-head the coke drum and thatthis part is entirely enclosed within a valve that may be attached tothe coke drum without having to be removed after each consecutive cycle.

[0068] FIGS. 8-11 represent the live loaded seat concept as applied tothe coke drum de-heading system 10, and specifically the de-header valve12, of the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates de-header valve 12having a live loaded seat assembly 132 and a static seat assembly 136.Live loaded seat assembly 132 is comprised of a dynamic live loadedseat, shown as upper seat 34, and a live seat adjustment mechanism 134used to adjust and control the load exerted by the dynamic live loadedseat upon flat surface 108 of blind 106. Live loaded seat assembly 132further comprises a force transfer module 162, shown in FIG. 8 as awedged member, whose primary purpose is to transfer the load exerted bylive seat adjustment mechanism 134 to the dynamic live loaded seat,which in turn exerts a resulting force upon flat surface 108 of blind106. Force transfer module 162, or wedged member, is constructed havingan angled section, which corresponds directly with a matching angledportion on the dynamic, live loaded seat.

[0069]FIG. 8 also shows seat retaining rings 126, whose function is tosecure and hold upper seat 34 in place within de-header valve 12. Seatretaining rings 126 are securely coupled to de-header valve 12, usingany number and orientation as necessary. Seat retaining rings 126 mustbe securely fastened so as to remain in a fixed position at all times.As shown, upper seat 34 exists as the dynamic live loaded seat describedherein. Lower seat 38, which is shown as a static seat, also is securedand held in place by a lower seat retaining ring similar to that as anupper seat retaining ring. Each of the seat retaining rings used inde-header valve 12 are coupled to de-header valve 12 using fasteningmeans 130, which are commonly known in the art.

[0070]FIG. 8 also provides an illustrative view of blind 106 and itsrelationship with upper seat 34 and lower seat 38. In essence, blind 106comprises a dual-seated linear motion blind having near zero tolerancesexisting between each of the upper and lower seats and the upper andlower surfaces of blind 106. Such tolerances are necessary to maintain asuitable pressurized environment during the manufacturing process. Asmentioned above, upper and lower seats 34 and 38 provide a metal tometal contact with blind 106 such that a seal is created withinde-header valve 12. This seal is important as there is a greater loadbetween the seat and the gate, than the bun strength or load in cokedrum 18. This seal enables de-header valve 12 to maintain a suitablepressurized environment during the coke manufacturing process and isattained by the load exerted on blind 106 through dynamic live-loadedseat 34.

[0071]FIG. 9 illustrates an enlarged view of live-loaded seat assembly132 as shown in FIG. 8. Live-loaded seat assembly 132 comprises liveseat adjustment mechanism 134, force transfer module 162, and a dynamiclive-loaded seat, which is shown in FIG. 9 as upper seat 34. Each ofthese elements works in conjunction with one another to apply andtransfer force to blind 106, thus creating the necessary seal andde-heading function as earlier described. Live seat adjustment mechanism134 itself comprises housing 138, which houses and holds the elements oflive seat adjustment mechanism 134. Specifically, housing 138 hascontained therein a force applicator 142 that may be manually adjusteddepending on the amount and degree of force needed. In a preferredembodiment as shown in FIG. 10, force applicator 142 is simply athreaded member that may be rotated to increase or decrease the load onblind 106. Force applicator 142 is adjacent to and in contact withbiased plunger 146. Biased plunger 146 has distal and proximate endswith the distal end being in direct contact with force transfer module162. As force applicator 142 is activated to increase or decrease theload exerted on blind 106, biased plunger 147 is driven into forcetransfer module 162, which in turn exerts a resulting force on thedynamic love-loaded seat, or upper seat 34 as shown in FIG. 10, which inturn causes a resulting force to be exerted upon blind 106 at contact36. As mentioned, seat retaining rings 126 are securely fixed and willnot move, thus allowing wedged portion (force transfer module 162),which abuts seat retaining ring 126, to transfer force directly to blind106 through the dynamic, live loaded seat. The force applied by dynamic,live loaded seat to blind 106 is directly proportional to the forceapplied by force applicator 142. Thus, to increase the load on blind106, the operator simply activates force applicator 142. To decrease theload on blind 106, the operator simply deactivates force applicator 142as force applicator 142 is coupled to de-header valve 12 such that itmay be cycled in and out to adjust the pressure or force exerted onblind 106.

[0072] Force applicator 142 may be adjustable via manual means, such asa threaded bolt as shown, or via hydraulic or pneumatic means. Oneordinarily skilled in the art will recognize the possible ways to applypressure to force transfer module 162, while maintaining a seal. Inaddition, load bearing members may also be comprised of any suitablemeans capable of bearing a biased load and creating a loaded tensionforce upon force transfer module 162 and the dynamic, live loaded seat.

[0073] The dynamic live-loaded seat of the present invention is a biasedseat, thus allowing a degree of longitudinal fluctuation of blind 106both during the manufacturing process when coke drum 18 is being filled,as well as when actuator 62 is activated or deactivated to cause blind106 to move from a closed position to an open position. This degree oflongitudinal motion results in blind 106 moving in a substantiallylateral manner. The biasing effect of the dynamic live-loaded seatresults from the configuration of live seat adjustment mechanism 134.Specifically, live seat adjustment mechanism 134 comprises a series ofbiasing elements or load bearing members 150, such as belevue washersand springs 154 that act in conjunction with plunger 146. By biasing thedynamic live-loaded seat, any physical variations or deflections inblind 106 during the manufacturing process or the de-coking process willbe absorbed through live-loaded seat assembly 132. This provides asignificant advantage as it is not uncommon for blind 106 to go throughvarious stages of deflection as a result of either pressure and/ortemperature differentials. The biased nature of the dynamic live-loadedseat will allow de-header valve 12 to maintain a workable pressurizedenvironment as well as to account for any physical or structural changesto de-header valve 12 as a result of the intense environment existing inthe manufacturing process.

[0074] Although not shown, the present invention utilizes fourindependent sets of dynamic seats such that point to point adjustabilityis created within four loading zones. These four loading zonessignificantly increase the ability to adjust and manipulate thede-heading system according to the pressure within the system and thepotential locations for leaking. They also allow the use of componentsthat need not be as true or smooth as those used with static seals. Thefour sets of dynamic seats could even be adjusted to the point whereinan amount of force is applied to the blind such that it is no longermoveable by the actuator. By allowing point to point adjustability, thesystem is capable of being fine tuned to decrease the chances ofunwanted leaks within the system. For example, if the system wereleaking at one location, any one of, or multiple, dynamic seats could beadjusted to compensate and seal the leak.

[0075]FIG. 11 is illustrative of an alternative embodiment oflive-loaded seat assembly 132.

[0076] In addition to the above-described and illustrated features, thesystem of the present invention functions to control pressure within thesystem and to prevent leakage into unwanted areas of the system, thusproviding for positive isolation. This isolation is accomplished throughthe use of close tolerances in the metal to metal seating, and resultingsealing. O-rings may also used to improve sealing. In addition, apositive pressure may be introduced from the outside of the valve toprevent venting of the feed stream to atmosphere or into parts of thevalve. The system provides for remote verification of positiveisolation. This means that steam may be added to the steam purge inletto pressurize the valve system outside of the sealed area. This pressuremay be used to isolate the feed stream which is at a lower pressure, orit may be used to check the efficiency of the seals. The system isdesigned to allow remote monitoring of this isolation pressure to verifythat the system is not leaking contaminants to atmosphere.

[0077] The system, and specifically the dual independent seats, alsoprovides definitive double block and bleed/purge capabilities as well asinstant and remote live switching to double block and vent mode fromdouble block and purge mode on loss of purge steam. The metal to metalseal between the gate and the upper and lower seats provide one methodof blocking leakage, along with the pressure from the outside of theseals which isolates the feed stream if the pressure is greater outsideof the seal. If pressure is leaking, the system may be adjusted usingthe dual seats as described above to compensate or o-rings may bereplaced.

[0078] The present invention also features a method for de-heading acoke drum following the manufacture of coke therein. The methodcomprises the steps of: (a) obtaining at least one coke drum designedfor the manufacture of coke; (b) equipping the coke drum with ade-header valve, the de-header valve being removably coupled to the cokedrum and itself comprising 1) a main body having means for connectingthe de-header valve to the coke drum; 2) an adjustable dynamic, liveloaded seat coupled to the main body; 3) a static seat coupled to themain body in an opposite or counteracting position to the dynamic, liveloaded seat; and 4) a blind coupled to the main body and activated by anactuator, wherein the blind is capable of moving in a substantiallylateral bi-directional manner within the de-header valve between theupper and lower seats to control the opening and closing of thede-header valve, and the blind providing a seal between the dynamic,live loaded seat and the static seat; (c) closing the blind and sealingthe dynamic, live loaded seat against the blind so as to seal thede-header valve; (d) manufacturing coke from a refinery process; and (e)de-heading the coke drum by actuating the blind and causing it to slideacross the dynamic, live loaded seat and static seat into an openposition, the dynamic, live loaded seat and static seat thus shearingthe coke in the coke drum as the blind is displaced. This method may beutilized on either a bottom or top de-heading system.

[0079] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit of essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only alillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by theforegoing description. All changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope

What is claimed is:
 1. A coke drum de-heading system comprising: a cokedrum having a flanged orifice; a de-header valve removably coupled tosaid flanged orifice of said coke drum and comprising: a live loadedseat assembly having at least one dynamic, live loaded seat and acorresponding live loaded seat adjustment mechanism to control theexertable force of said dynamic, live loaded seat; a static seat alignedin opposition to said dynamic, live loaded seat; and a blind actuated byan actuator, said blind capable of moving in a bi-directional mannerwithin said de-header valve between said dynamic, live loaded seat andsaid static seat to control the opening and closing of said de-headervalve and to shear said coke from said blind when said blind is cakedwith coke, said blind receiving said force exerted by said dynamic, liveloaded seat.
 2. The coke drum de-heading system of claim 1, furthercomprising means for monitoring and controlling the pressure existingwithin said de-heading system.
 3. The coke drum de-heading system ofclaim 1, further comprising metal to metal seating such that there is ametal to metal contact seal between said dynamic, live loaded seat, saidstatic seat, and said blind.
 4. The coke drum de-heading system of claim1, wherein said blind is a biased, dual seated blind.
 5. The coke drumde-heading system of claim 1, wherein said system is a bottom de-headingsystem.
 6. The coke drum de-heading system of claim 1, wherein saidsystem is a top de-heading system.
 7. The coke drum de-heading system ofclaim 1, wherein said de-header valve further comprises a main bodyhaving an orifice dimensioned to align, in a concentric relationship,with an orifice in said coke drum.
 8. The coke drum de-heading system ofclaim 1, further comprising an upper and lower bonnet coupled toopposing ends of said de-header valve.
 9. The coke drum de-headingsystem of claim 1, wherein said live loaded seat assembly furthercomprises a force transfer module in juxtaposition to said dynamic, liveloaded seat for transferring a force from said live loaded seatadjustment mechanism to said dynamic, live loaded seat.
 10. The cokedrum de-heading system of claim 9, wherein said live loaded seatadjustment mechanism is comprised of: a force applicator having aportion thereof outside said de-header valve, such that an individualmay adjust the force exerted on said blind by said dynamic, live loadedseat; a biased plunger coupled to said force applicator and applying aforce from said force applicator to said force transfer module; a springloaded assembly coupled to said pressure applicator and biasing saidbiased plunger; and a plurality of sealing members contained within saidlive loaded seat adjustment mechanism, wherein said force applicatorapplies a force to said force transfer module via said plunger, whichsubsequently forces said dynamic, live loaded seat against said blind,thus creating a seal between said blind and said seats.
 11. The cokedrum de-heading system of claim 1, wherein said actuator of said blindis controlled from a remote location to increase safety.
 12. The cokedrum de-heading system of claim 1, wherein said actuator of said blindis hydraulically controlled.
 13. The coke drum de-heading system ofclaim 1, wherein said live loaded seat assembly comprises a plurality ofdynamic, live loaded seats with corresponding live loaded seatadjustment mechanisms and opposing static seats, such that point topoint adjustability and fine tuning of said live loaded seat assembly,as acting on said blind, is achieved.
 14. A coke drum bottom de-headingsystem comprising: at least one coke drum containing manufactured coketherein, said at least one coke drum having a flanged bottom orifice; ade-header valve removably coupled to said coke drum to facilitate theremoval of said coke from said at least one coke drum by de-heading saidat least one coke drum, said de-header valve comprising: a main bodyhaving an flanged orifice therein for removably coupling said de-headervalve to said flanged bottom orifice of said coke drum; an upper andlower bonnet coupled to said main body; an adjustable dynamic, liveloaded seat coupled to said main body; a static seat coupled to saidmain body in opposition to said dynamic, live loaded seat; and a blindcoupled to said main body and actuated by an actuator, said blindcapable of moving in a bi-directional manner within said de-header valvebetween said dynamic, live loaded and static seats to control theopening and closing of said de-header valve, said blind providing a sealbetween said dynamic, live loaded seat and said static seat; said cokedrum is de-headed, thus preparing said coke drum for the removal of saidcoke, by actuating said blind from a closed, sealed position, to an openposition thereby causing said coke that has accumulated on said blindand within said valve to be sheared from said blind.
 15. The bottomde-heading system of claim 14, further comprising means for monitoringand controlling the pressure existing within said de-heading system. 16.A coke drum top de-heading system comprising: means for monitoring andcontrolling pressure existing within said de-heading system; at leastone coke drum containing manufactured coke therein, said at least onecoke drum having a flanged top orifice; a de-header valve removablycoupled to said coke drum to facilitate the removal of said coke fromsaid at least one coke drum by de-heading said at least one coke drum,said de-header valve comprising: a main body having a flanged orificetherein for removably coupling said de-header valve to said flanged toporifice of said coke drum; an upper and lower bonnet coupled to saidmain body; an adjustable dynamic, live loaded seat coupled to said mainbody; a static seat coupled to said main body in opposition to saiddynamic, live loaded seat; and a blind coupled to said main body andactuated by an actuator, said blind capable of moving in abi-directional manner within said de-header valve between said dynamic,live loaded and static seats to control the opening and closing of saidde-header valve, said blind providing a seal between said dynamic, liveloaded seat and said static seat; said coke drum is de-headed, thuspreparing said coke drum for the removal of said coke, by actuating saidblind from a closed, sealed position, to an open position therebycausing said coke that has accumulated on said blind and within saidvalve to be sheared from said blind.
 17. The top de-heading system ofclaim 16, further comprising means for monitoring and controlling thepressure existing within said de-heading system.
 18. A coke drumde-heading system comprising: at least one coke drum containingmanufactured coke therein, said at least one coke drum having a toporifice and a bottom orifice; a de-header valve removably coupled tosaid coke drum and designed to facilitate the removal of said coke fromsaid at least one coke drum by de-heading said coke drum and allowingsaid coke to pass therethrough, said de-header valve comprising: a mainbody having an orifice dimensioned to align, in a concentricrelationship, with either of said top and bottom orifices of said cokedrum when said de-header valve is coupled thereto; a live loaded seatassembly coupled to said main body and comprising a dynamic, live loadedseat, a live loaded seat adjustment mechanism coupled to said main bodyand designed to control and adjust the force and resulting seat load ofsaid dynamic, live loaded seat, and a force transfer module injuxtaposition to said dynamic, live loaded seat for transferring theforce from said live loaded seat adjustment mechanism to said dynamic,live loaded seat; a static seat positioned opposite from andcounteracting said dynamic, live loaded seat; and a blind capable movingin a bi-directional manner within said de-header valve and between saiddynamic, live loaded seat and said static seat, said blind physicallycontrolled by an actuator, said blind having a force exerted thereon bysaid dynamic, live loaded seat such that a seal is created between saiddynamic, live loaded seat, said blind, and said static seat; whereinsaid de-header valve de-heads said coke drum and facilitates the removalof said coke from said coke drum upon actuation of said blind from aclosed to an open position wherein said coke is sheared.
 19. The cokedrum de-heading system of claim 18, wherein said coke drum de-headingsystem is a bottom de-heading system.
 20. The coke drum de-headingsystem of claim 18, wherein said coke drum de-heading system is a topde-heading system.
 21. The coke drum de-heading system of claim 18,wherein said coke drum has a flanged portion around either of saidbottom and top orifices, and wherein said de-header valve has a flangedportion around said orifice of said main body, and wherein said flangedportion of said coke drum may be aligned and fit with said flangedportion of said de-header valve to provide a means for removablycoupling said de-header valve to said coke drum.
 22. The coke drumde-heading system of claim 18, wherein said dynamic, live loaded seatcomprises an upper seat of said de-header valve.
 23. The coke drumde-heading system of claim 18, wherein said dynamic, live loaded seatcomprises a lower seat of said de-header valve.
 24. The coke drumde-heading system of claim 18, wherein said static seat comprises anupper seat of said de-header valve.
 25. The coke drum de-heading systemof claim 18, wherein said static seat comprises a lower seat of saidde-header valve.
 26. The coke drum de-heading system of claim 18,wherein said live loaded seat assembly further comprises a seatretainer.
 27. The coke drum de-heading system of claim 18, wherein saidforce transfer module is a wedge shaped member, such that an axial forceintroduced by said live loaded seat adjustment mechanism results in asubstantially perpendicular force on said dynamic, live loaded seat. 28.The coke drum de-heading system of claim 18, wherein said live loadedseat adjustment mechanism is comprised of: a force applicator having aportion thereof outside said main body, such that an individual mayadjust the force exerted on said blind by said dynamic, live loadedseat; a plunger coupled to said force applicator and applying a forcefrom said force applicator to said force transfer module; a springloaded assembly coupled to said pressure applicator and biasing saidplunger; and a plurality of sealing members contained within said liveloaded seat adjustment mechanism, wherein said force applicator appliesa force to said force transfer module via said plunger, whichsubsequently forces said dynamic, live loaded seat against said blind,thus creating a seal between said blind and said seats.
 29. The cokedrum de-heading system of claim 18, wherein said actuator of said blindis controlled from a remote location to increase safety.
 30. The cokedrum de-heading system of claim 18, wherein said actuator of said blindis hydraulically controlled.
 31. The coke drum de-heading system ofclaim 18, wherein said actuator of said blind is pneumaticallycontrolled.
 32. The coke drum de-heading system of claim 18, furthercomprising means for monitoring and controlling the pressure existingwithin said de-heading system.
 33. A method for de-heading a coke drumfollowing the manufacture of coke therein, said method comprising thesteps of: obtaining at least one coke drum designed for the manufactureof said coke; equipping said coke drum with a de-header valve, saidde-header valve removably coupled to said coke drum and comprising: amain body having means for connecting said de-header valve to said cokedrum; an adjustable dynamic, live loaded seat coupled to said main body;a static seat coupled to said main body in opposition to said dynamic,live loaded seat; and a blind coupled to said main body and actuated byan actuator, said blind capable of moving in a substantially lateralbidirectional manner within said de-header valve between said upper andlower seats to control the opening and closing of said de-header valve,said blind providing a seal between said dynamic, live loaded seat andsaid static seat; closing said blind and sealing said dynamic, liveloaded seat against said blind so as to seal said de-header valve;manufacturing said coke from a refinery process; and de-heading saidcoke drum by actuating said blind and causing said blind to slide acrosssaid dynamic, live loaded seat and said static seat into an openposition, said dynamic, live loaded seat and said static seat thusshearing said coke in said coke drum as said blind is displaced.
 34. Themethod of claim 33, wherein said de-heading comprises top de-heading ofsaid coke drum.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein said de-headingcomprises bottom de-heading of said coke drum.
 36. A coke drumde-heading valve attachable to a coke drum, said coke drum de-headingvalve comprising: a main body having an orifice dimensioned to fit andalign with an orifice on a coke drum; a live loaded seat assemblycomprising a dynamic, live loaded seat and a live seat adjustmentmechanism for controlling the amount of exertable force of said dynamic,live loaded seat; a static seat aligned with and positioned oppositesaid dynamic, live loaded seat; a blind controlled by an actuator andslidably contained between said dynamic, live loaded seat and saidstatic seat, such that a seal is created between said blind and saidseats, said blind capable of moving in a substantially lateralbidirectional manner between an open, partially open, and closedposition, said blind shearing said coke when said blind is caked withcoke as said blind is opened, thus de-heading said coke drum.